Monday, June 18, 2007

Well, I got home to Pappy tonight after our ten-day absence-- my wife unexpectedly had to stay on in Austin. Our housesitting vacationing visitors were quite thoughtful and wonderful by all measures, and left us a lovely note extolling the virtues of Pappy. They grew quite attached.

On my return I find a few squirrely things about Pappy. Of course he seems a little anxious, which is to be expected. But there's more. Mere hours after we left, before the housesitters even arrived, he chewed up gloves and a hairbrush-- he hasn't chewed anything inappropriate for a year. Well, except the sprinkler, but that's in the back yard where everything plastic is for him.

And he seemed to be afraid of the kitchen. This isn't too weird, because in the past he has been a little leery of the slippery floor. But it hasn't been this extreme; when I first got home he stood outside crying and wouldn't come in to eat his dinner. Now he's standing outside the bedroom door, just staring into the room without going in to lie down.

Unfortunately I have to head out again for a two-day conference after a day home, and my wife is out of the picture. So I have to call in the other housesitter. Poor Pappy's getting put through the wringer with all the different faces. The pet psychologist bills we're going to have!

Separation anxiety is a problem, we solved it by taking Gussie with us most of the time. Hence, his "job" at the store! But seriously, maybe a furry friend would work. Gussie is better with Teka than without, which may be the first nice thing I have said about the monster!

Gus,Certainly I think we're talking separation anxiety. He was pretty self sufficient prior to our departure, but this absence probably has him at loose ends. I plan to be with him throughout the weekend-- except the weather's so hot that you can't leave him in the car for even a couple of minutes.

Nugget's Mom,I think Gus is on the right track with separation anxiety or maybe boredom. In Pappy's case it's easy to see what changed, but maybe not so with Nugget.

Murphy,My wife always said, before we got a dog, that she'd never want to get only one because they could keep each other company. Not sure it works exactly like that, but it probably is soothing.

Frasier,I put down an area rug where he slips coming around the corner, and I suspect it will sort itself out in a little while.

Scotties,I use housesitters that live in the house, and he always seems to get along well with them. I think the problem must be in the transitions between "packs" or something. Thankfully we aren't away too often-- we shouldn't be away again before Thxgiving.